The country of Burma (currently known as Myanmar) has been going through a civil war that has lasted over 60 years. As a result of the violence, many people have had to leave their homes, their livings, and flee to forests or leave the country in order to survive.

Many migrated to Mae Sot, Thailand, where more than 43,000 live in refugee camps and communities. In the process of migration and adapting, some people have contracted disease, some have been killed by landmines and some have died. The children of the passed souls are then orphaned and are left with little to live on. Some of the families simply can’t afford to pay for food or education for their children.

Depending on where we live, we may not think about the orphans that exist in the world. Children without parents, living in environments that are tough to survive in. Lacking in love and family, they find some community and care in orphanages. They also find opportunities to grow and develop.

Frederick Eliezer Gaghauna, a VSO volunteer and a humanitarian photographer, captured some of the images of Burmese children and life at the orphanage.

Shawn Saleme

Shawn Saleme is a contributing writer for Visual News. A 4th generation San Franciscan, Shawn has developed an adventurous spirit that has taken him to over 55 countries. His degree in cultural anthropology shapes his perspective and thirst to socially experiment in a rapidly shifting planet. His work has been featured in the Seattle Times, The Globalist and the Daily Mail. Currently he is writing a book about the shared economy. Connect with him @shawnsaleme.